New Resident Guide · Crestview, Florida
Okaloosa CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Okaloosa County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, and the rest of the county — power, water, gas, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. Print it and keep it on the fridge.
Step 1
County Offices
The government offices every new homeowner needs — for your homestead exemption, taxes, license plates, schools, and voter registration.
Property Appraiser
Okaloosa County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. Filing homestead is the most valuable thing a new Florida homeowner can do.
Tax Collector
Okaloosa County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services. Offices in Crestview, Niceville, Shalimar, and Fort Walton Beach. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Okaloosa County School District
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Okaloosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Okaloosa County Growth Management
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Okaloosa County. Each city runs its own building department.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports. For emergencies, always call 911.
Step 2
Set Up Your Utilities
Call ahead of your move-in date so the power and water are on when you arrive. Electric and water depend on your exact address — see the note under each.
Electric
FPL (the former Gulf Power) covers the coast and south; CHELCO covers Crestview and the north.
Florida Power & Light (FPL) — Northwest
Serves: Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, Mary Esther, Valparaiso, Shalimar, and most coastal/south county.
CHELCO (Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative)
Serves: Crestview, north Okaloosa, Eglin AFB, and rural areas.
Water & Sewer
Inside a city, use the city. Destin's water is a separate co-op (Destin Water Users).
Okaloosa County Water & Sewer
Serves: Unincorporated county and many areas outside city systems.
City of Fort Walton Beach Utilities
Serves: Inside Fort Walton Beach (water/sewer/sanitation).
City of Crestview Utility Service
Serves: Inside Crestview city limits.
Natural Gas
Okaloosa Gas District is a special-district utility serving much of the area.
Okaloosa Gas District
Serves: Okaloosa plus parts of Santa Rosa and Walton counties, including military bases.
Trash & Recycling
Inside a city, trash is the city's; unincorporated county is hauled by Waste Management.
Waste Management (Okaloosa County)
Serves: Franchised/unincorporated county pickup.
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Cox Communications
Serves: Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, and the coastal county (dominant cable).
Not sure who serves your exact address?
Electric, water, and trash can change street by street. The fastest ways to confirm: check the seller's most recent utility bill, ask your closing agent or title company, or call the city utility office for the city your home is in. If your home is in an unincorporated area, it's handled by the county. Your MaxLife agent is happy to help you pin this down before closing.
Okaloosa County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Okaloosa County, FL?
FPL — the former Gulf Power — covers Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, and the coastal/south county. CHELCO (Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative) covers Crestview, north Okaloosa, and rural areas. Confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Okaloosa County?
Inside a city, use the city. Destin's water is a separate co-op (Destin Water Users, (850) 837-6146). Unincorporated areas use Okaloosa County Water & Sewer at (850) 651-7171.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Okaloosa County?
File with the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser at okaloosapa.com or (850) 651-7240. The deadline is March 1, and you must own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1 of that year.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Okaloosa County?
The Okaloosa County Tax Collector (okaloosatax.com, (850) 651-7300) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses, with offices in Crestview, Niceville, Shalimar, and Fort Walton Beach. New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days and register their vehicles within 10 days of starting work or enrolling children in school.
How do I register to vote in Okaloosa County?
Register or update your address through the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections at voteokaloosa.gov or (850) 689-5600. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Okaloosa County contact sheet as a clean one-pager — perfect to keep on the fridge or hand to a client at closing.
Buying or selling in Okaloosa County? Talk to Ryan Solberg at MaxLife Realty.
Contact details verified June 2026against each agency's and provider's official website. Government offices and utilities occasionally change phone numbers, websites, and service areas — please confirm before relying on a number for a deadline or time-sensitive matter. MaxLife Realty is not affiliated with any office or utility listed here. For emergencies, call 911.